Jake Donovan

3 days ago | boxingscene.com | Jake Donovan

Fernando Martinez once again traveled overseas to defeat Kazuto Ioka. The two-time titlist had to climb off the canvas this time around, however, to preserve his reign and unbeaten record. Scores were 114-113, 115-112 (though announced in the ring as 114-112) and 117-110 for Argentina’s Martinez, who retained his WBA junior bantamweight title in Sunday’s terrific ABEMA-TV/ESPN Knockout headliner. The sequel took place at Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo.

4 days ago | boxingscene.com | Jake Donovan

Fernando “Pumita” Martinez and Kazuto Ioka will be accompanied by another familiar face in the ring this weekend. Luis Pabon was once again appointed as the third man for the abovementioned WBA junior bantamweight title fight. A 32-year ring official from Puerto Rico, Pabon is one of four neutral officials assigned to the rematch, which will air live on ABEMA-TV in Japan on Sunday from Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan.

5 days ago | boxingscene.com | Jake Donovan

Fernando “Pumita” Martinez was in a far more jovial mood Saturday than he had been during his previous fight week in Tokyo. The unbeaten WBA junior bantamweight titlist is fully healthy this time around. More importantly, he did not at all struggle to make weight ahead of his anticipated rematch with former four-division titleholder Kazuto Ioka. Both boxers weighed 114½lbs, well within the 115lbs divisional limit for their scheduled 12-round sequel.

5 days ago | boxingscene.com | Jake Donovan

Emanuel Navarrete has created a sizable following in what is now his fourth business trip to San Diego. His previous appearance in town, however, was a letdown to his fans and to himself. Mexico’s Navarrete, 39-2-1 (33 KOs), saw a 12-year, 34-fight unbeaten streak come to a halt as he was outpointed by then-unbeaten Denys Berinchyk last May 18 at Pechanga Arena.

6 days ago | boxingscene.com | Jake Donovan

Jermall Charlo wanted to make it clear that he’s not looking past his next opponent. However, he couldn’t suppress his desire to immediately return to the sport’s highest stage. For now, the former two-division titlist is locked in for his May 31 showdown with Thomas ‘Cornflake’ LaManna. Their bout comes in supporting capacity to the Caleb Plant-Armando Resendiz interim WBA super middleweight title fight. “I’m gonna do my job.